“Or would it be possible, say by your good offices, if I were to promise that she would still be here to-morrow morning, for you to go away now and return then?” went on Gerard, with an easy confidence which made Audrey look up at him askance in fresh astonishment at his self-possession. There was another pause, and Gerard pressed his wife’s arm with another reassuring touch. “If you’ll allow us, sir, to discuss this a moment,” said the man with the warrant civilly. “Oh, certainly, certainly. Shall we retire and leave you here? Or will you----” Gerard drew apart the curtains that hung between the two showrooms; and the men, with another “Thank you, sir,” passed through and conversed in a low voice in the outer room. Once alone with her husband, Audrey wanted to speak. But he put his hand upon her mouth, and with a warning frown, kept her silent. Meanwhile he listened with keen ears to the whispering that was going on in the outer room. In a few minutes the man in the policeman’s boots reappeared, alone. Saluting Gerard, he said:-- “We think, sir, it might be managed as you suggest. If you, sir, will give an undertaking that the lady will be here to-morrow morning, when we shall have to come again, and when we hope she’ll make no objection to coming quietly.” “I’ll give the undertaking,” said Gerard. “Would you like it in writing?” he added quickly, going towards the writing-desk, and gently disengaging himself from Audrey’s arms. “Oh, no sir. Not with a gentleman. I understand you are sure there is nothing in the charge, sir?” “Nothing whatever. Indeed I think you’ll find that on further consideration, this charge won’t be pressed further against my wife.” “Oh, well, sir, in that case we’ll take further orders, sir.” “Thank you,” said Gerard, as he followed the man out through the second showroom, and found that the other man had already taken his departure. “Can you see? Mind the corner stair. It’s an awkward turn. That’s right.” These words, in Gerard’s voice, reached Audrey’s ears as she stood trembling in the inner showroom, listening and waiting. Then there was a pause, and she presently heard the door at the bottom shut sharply. A moment later Gerard came back into the room. His eyes were very bright; all his calmness had disappeared, and he was shaking from head to foot with violent excitement. “Gerard, Gerard, how did you manage it? What did you do? How is it that they went away so quietly? I thought the police had to execute a warrant, and that they couldn’t go away like that without orders!” Gerard had by this time come close to her, and the brilliancy of his eyes, the heaving of his breast, frightened her. “Of course they can’t, of course _real_ policemen can’t,” he answered promptly. “Real policemen! Oh, Gerard, who--who were they? Who were they?”